My wonderful friends at HopeLab are developing something called Ruckus Nation. It's an online competition to create products that will get kids between the ages of 11 to 14 more active. They are awarding up to $300,000 in prizes for the best ideas. ($25k for the winning middle school student, $25k for the winning high school student, and so on.)

They are particularly hoping that middle school kids will submit ideas. I told my 11-year-old step-twins about it and they are brainstorming as we speak (after a short break for Hannah Montana).

Here's the info as it stands now (the official guidelines will be posted in September, with the deadline in November):

What: Ruckus Nation is an online idea competition that challenges participants to imagine innovative products that will increase physical activity among kids ages 11 to 14. The best product ideas will win.

To enter, all you have to do is submit a written description in English of the product idea, including why you believe your idea would be a fun and effective way to increase physical activity among kids. You'll also be able to submit a video clip, but it's not required.

When: Ruckus Nation opens in Fall 2007: September 2007 Competition opens for idea submissions; November 2007 Competition closes - all ideas must be submitted; Early 2008 Awards event - winners announced

Where: The competition will take place online. Ruckus Nation will accept entrants from around the world (with the exception of Quebec and countries subject to U.S. embargo.) A special in-person awards event will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area to announce winners. Who: People of all ages may enter and win. Individuals and teams will be allowed to enter their ideas. Ideas will be judged in four categories. Up to 1,000 teams will be allowed to compete.

How much: Ruckus Nation is free. No entry fee is required.

Legal stuff: Rules for Ruckus Nation will be finalized and published on ruckusnation.com prior to the start of the competition in September 2007. HopeLab reserves the right to modify the competition as described in these web pages before that time. Competition winners will assign the ownership rights to their winning ideas to HopeLab. We may decide to develop those ideas into products or use them in other ways at our sole discretion.